5/1/2016 – 3:45 PM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE: Low level cloud cover over the Goat Rx has assisted firefighters in mop-up efforts. There are very few smokes visible at this time.

Firefighters will continue to mop-up, monitor conditions, and patrol the area for the next few days.

This will be the FINAL UPDATE unless there is a significant change to report.

5/1/16 – 9:45 AM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE: Considerably low temperatures are over the Goat Rx area this morning, currently 34 degrees. All lines held over night. Firefighters will continue to mop-up throughoutthe day. A minimal amount of residual smoke may be visible as temperatures rise this afternoon.

4/30/2016 – 11:30 AM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE: Good relative humidity recovery moderated fire behavior last night, all objectives are being met and crews have begun hand ignitions — with aerial ignitions to follow later this afternoon, as weather permits. Today’s wind conditions are forecasted to be more favorable and the intention is to complete ignitions today.

4/26/16 – 8:30 PM Prescribed Fire Update: Firefighters treated an additional 500 acres on the Goat Rx today. Although progress was slightly slower than that of yesterday, current evening weather conditions are favorable — allowing them to continue with ignitions. They will be halting ignitions soon and will ensure that the perimeter is secure before retreating to their sleeping quarters for the night. Weather permitting, they will resume ignitions tomorrow around mid-morning. Total number acres treated since ignitions began yesterday is 1300 acres.

4/29/16 – 2:45 PM Prescribed Fire Update – All operations are going well today, however with a slight increase in winds, firefighters have appropriately slowed the rate of ignitions and are burning into the winds. At times, light winds can contribute to fire spread within the delineated perimeter of the prescribed fire project. When broadcast burning, interior fuels will burn and spread – under the watchful eye of the on-scene firefighting resources. They are actively engaged in directing and monitoring fire spread and can gauge fire behavior and spread by altering the rate, pattern and direction of ignitions.

The next Goat Prescribed Fire Update will be provided this evening.

4/29/16 – 10:00 AM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE: Despite an increase in winds throughout the night, all lines held and ignitions resumed this morning around 7:30 am. Operations are going well and will continue as long as conditions remain favorable to achieve treatment objectives.

4/28/16 – 7:45PM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE:Crews worked hard today and completed treatment on 800 acres on the Goat Rx. All lines are holding and objectives of the prescription are being met. The plan for tomorrow will be to continue ignitions, weather permitting.

4/28/16 – 2:30 PM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE:A fireline has been constructed around the project area. Crews are moving at a safe and steady pace. A helicopter is assigned to the Goat Prescribed Fire for aerial ignitions (ignition of fuels by dropping incendiary devices or materials from aircraft, in this case a helicopter). Aerial ignitions are underway.

All operations are normal and the prescribed fire activities are being carried out as planned!

4/28/16 – 9:30 AM PRESCRIBED FIRE UPDATE: The test fire was successful on the Goat Prescribed Fire project and firefighters will continue with ignitions. Smoke will be visible from Carlsbad, Queen and surrounding areas during ignitions.

Lat/Long: 32 deg. 8 min. 46.46 sec. x 104 deg. 45 min. 40.68 sec.

Legal Description: T25S, R21E, NWSW Sec 12

CARLSBAD, NM – April 12, 2016 – Fire officials on the Guadalupe Ranger District of the Lincoln National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed fire operations during the latter part of April and possibly into late-June, if conditions for prescribed burning are favorable.

The Goat Prescribed Fire project is located south of Queen and south of Eddy County Road 412. Approximately 2500 acres are targeted for broadcast burning. Target date range for possible ignitions (burning days): April 25th through June 10th. TARGET DATE FOR IGNITIONS IS THURSDAY, APRIL 28, IF CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE!

This burn is being conducted for habitat restoration and to reduce fuel-loading within the unit.

North Queen Piles Prescribed Fire project is located north of Queen. Piles within a five-acre unit are targeted for ignitions. Target date range for burning the piles located north of Queen are: April 25th through June 30th.

This 150-acre project area has been thinned and pile burning will be used to remove small piles of slash and woody material, this will help improve the effectiveness of the defensible space area adjacent to the subdivision

As always, ignitions on any given day are dependent upon current (day of the burn) weather and fuel conditions. A specific burn plan for each project is developed far in advance of implementation. The burn plan “prescribes” the best conditions under which trees and other plants will burn to get the best results safely. Burn plans consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for smoke dispersal. Prescribed fire specialists compare conditions on the ground to those outlined in burn plans before deciding whether to burn on a given day.

Following ignitions, expect smoke to settle in drainages and lower elevations at night. Smoke usually dissipates by late-morning, as daytime temperatures increase. In the event that smoke is encountered on travel ways, motorists are advised to reduce travel speeds and turn lights on. “Prescribed Fire” notification signs will be posted along roadways and fire personnel will be patrolling the area during and after the ignition operations.